The Gift of Sport

‘I first met Stuart when he captivated us all at a Christian teachers’ conference when speaking on the way God has designed and created everything in the world so perfectly for us. I then invited him to my school, where he inspired the children about sport and creation. This book combines sport and faith, with fascinating insights and a challenging message at the end. A must read for sports fans like me!’ –ANDY REEVES Headteacher, The King’s School, Highfield Preschool, UK

‘The Gift of Sport provides the reader with a holistic perspective on sport that replaces shelves of specialist literature. The balanced mix of rules, fun facts, history and science makes it a book to return to. It opened my own eyes to how healthy sporting activities in all its forms manifests man’s amazing design – and by extension the Creator’s love and care.’ –GÖRAN SCHMIDT Engineer and biologist, Sweden

‘The authors have written a unique book: a sporting compendium with a scriptural challenge. One marvels at the work involved in compiling so much information about so many sports. But in the final chapters, there is a sting in the tail for both participants and supporters which will encourage the reader to wholesome thinking in the area of sport.’ –PAUL HILL Pastor and author, Bristol, UK

Professor Stuart Burgess BSc, PhD, CEng, FIMechE Stuart has held academic posts in the Faculty of Engineering at Bristol University, the Engineering Department at Cambridge University and the Biology Department at Liberty University in the USA. He was the lead designer for the solar array deployment on the world’s largest civilian earth-observing spacecraft (Envisat). He also led the design and testing of the chain drive for the world record-breaking track bikes used by the British Olympic Cycling Team at the Rio, Tokyo and Paris Olympics. He has published over 200 scientific papers on the science of design. He also has seven patents and received several national awards for his designs including the Turners Gold Medal and 2019 IMechE James Clayton Prize. Stuart is married to Jocelyn and they have five children. Tabitha Carron (née Burgess) BA (Cantab) Tabitha graduated from Cambridge University with a first class honours in Modern and Medieval languages in 2020. She has since enjoyed teaching Spanish, taking part in various translation projects and being involved in her local church. Apart from working with her dad, Tabitha currently spends most of her time looking after her two daughters whom she shares with her husband Josiah. She is a keen sportswoman whose achievements include playing flyhalf for the Cambridge University women’s rugby team and representing the county in cross country running.